Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-07-20
MARION'S INFLUENCE.

OF an armenian Oh tlO AC.S 0
to be very SWELL as Fred would say.
expect we shall have a grand time
Marion"
Marion hesitated moment, then sale
slowly az do not think shall CO."
ssNnt ooI Why. Marion Aiken! What
earthly reason can YOU have for decliningP'
Marion left the window and came over te
the fire. her eyes still thoughtfully perusing
the invitation.
"Why, you see, Fannie, it says Cards
and Dancing, and L am quite sure theJ
will have wine"
"And what if they do?" interrupted hel
friend. "You have been to dozens OF such
parties before.''
81 know I have, but l feel differently
about such things lately. | dread theil
influence on Charlie" she went on in a
low tone. "There are so many tempta.
tiors for young men, and / don't think
could bear it if Charlie should go wrong
Her voice sank almost to whisper, ano
she spoke as if to herself.
Her refined, sensitive face wore troubl
ed expression. She had q noble spirit,
Marion Aiken, but it was hard to break
away from the habits of the fashionable
life to which she had always been accus.
toned.
"You are perfectly absurd p exclaimed
Fannie. "The idea of worrying ovel
Charlie! am sure he has far too much
good sense and self-control to fall into bad
habits. l wouldn't think of giving up q
party fo7 Fred. He can take care of him
SELF And what will you accomplish by
doing it? Charlie will go anyhow"
'1 don't know. wish he would givesit VI
'Well, 1 hope he WON'T" said Fannie
with a laugh. 81 hope he will 60 ano
dance with me. We get along so nicely
together"
Fannie shortly after took her leave, beg
ging her friend to change her mind and de
eide to go.
But Marion, so far from taking her ad-
vice, sat down at once and wrote note ex-
pressing her regrets, and despatched it to
the office.
'Poor Fannier' she said to herself ''ii
she but knew she would not speak so care
lessly of Fred.''
She had met him while out shopping a
few days previous, and he had walked a
short distance with her. She could not fail
to perceive the fumes of liquor in his
breath and notice that his laugh was a
trifle boisterous. 1t was this that had
startled her and made her anxious about
her own brother, to whom she was de-
votedly attached. The latter was attend
ing college in the city where they lived, and
was endowed with unusual talents.
"Watching for me, little sister," he
asked gaily, stamping the snow off his feet,
as he opened the outside door and came
into the warm lighted hall. mot many Of
the fellows have such pretty girl waiting
for them,'' he went on. "They wonder
why always hurry home, but they
wouldn't if they knew, would they, little
one?' all this while hanging up his coat
and hat.
"Don't tease, Charlie want to ask
you something
"Want to ask me something? Well,
what is it? l promise-provided it isn't
altogether out of the question"
81 want you not to take wine at dinner
said his sister, hesitatingly.
"What an absurd requestr exclaimed
Charlie, with a puzzled laugh. 81 was
just thinking coming home how good some
of fathers old wine would taste after my
cold walk. But I have promised and |
will keep my word"
When seated at the table Mrs. Aiken
turned to Marion. "Fannie was telling me
what elaborate preparations were being
made for Mrs. Landin's party next week.
I was wondering if you would not need a
new Dress"
go! met Lucy Mathews to-day COM
ing out of the dressmaker's," said Char
lie, sand she gave me minute description
of her new costume. 1t is white-no-
green-she certainly said something about
green"
"White and green combined, 1 expect, F"
said his mother, laughing. 'Lucy Math-
ews affects pale green"
81 am sure you could get up something
prettier," said Charlie, turning to Marion.
81 don't need new Dress" she an
swered. 81 don't think I care to go to the
party
s'Why not?" from Charlie.
81 would like to have you go, as 1 can
not" said her mother, who was somewhat
of an invalid.
81 don't think such parties are right, -
said Marion bravely, though her face
flushed painfully. $50 much money is
wasted in them, and they have dancing and
card-playing and wine. 1t doesn't seem
right for church member to attend
them"
s'What very silly notions" said Mrs
Aiken, impatiently. II don't know where
you ever picked them up. Not from me
certainly"
'Don't be peculiar, daughter" said Mr..
Aiken, kindly. "If there is anything to
be avoided it is a peculiar woman"
marion is peculiarly sweet, father
remarked Charlie, who, noticing his sister S
distressed face, had refrained from speak
ing before, but privately resolved to per-
suade his sister to attend the party.
But he did not succeed. This gentle
girl, who usually yielded so readily to the
wishes of others, was firm.
The day after the party her brother,
finding her alone, said abruptly, 81 am
glad you did not 60 last night"
And when Marion's face was lifted in
quiringly from her book, he kissed it fondly.
Some of the fellows went too far. You
see, they had a wine-rOom,' and some OF
the boys hardly left it at all. A number
were tipsy, and one or two actually drunk.
1t was disgraceful. Of course, they were
kept out Of the road, but I felt glad all
evening that my little sister was not
there"
This was the beginning of Marion's new
life. Her influence could not fail to be
felt in her family and circle of friends
Her mother helped her in her plans for the
poor families in which she became inter.
ested, and the lines upon the invalid's face,
which had been fretful and dissatisfied, be-
came almost obliberated, and her face
gradually assumed a calm and peaceful ex.
preston. Mr.. Aiken, who formerly had
spent Sunday as day of ease, in which to
rest from his business cares and labors oi
the week, became regular church -goer, to
Marion's great delight.
Two years have passed, and again Ma
rion is standing at her window, this time
with an open letter in her hand. 1t ran
thus 3:
"Last night, as l was coming rather late
to my rooms, / almost stumbled over the
PROSTATE body of man lying in the shadow
of the house. l struck match and was
shocked to find that it was Fred Ellsworth,
whom you know is here in business.
kept him in my room all night. He is
perfect wreck. l must do all I can to
save him, but I fear it will be a hopeless
undertaking. l shudder to think, Marion,
that might be in his place to-day but fol
the influence of my noble sister. I have
never regretted for a moment my decision
in giving up the law for the ministry. My
studies here are very delightful, but l long
for the time to come when I shall be